Harlandale's Ramon goes beyond his age

By David Hinojosa :
October 21, 2013
: Updated: October 21, 2013 2:44pm

Harlandale quarterback Brandon Ramon, right, fakes a pitch to his left before scoring a touchdown in a game against Floresville in early October.

Photo By Marvin Pfeiffer/ Express-News

Harlandale's Eddie Pedroza (second from right) picks up yardage during the first half of their game at Harlandale Memorial Stadium on Oct. 4, 2013. Harlandale beat the Tigers 28-17. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

Photo By Marvin Pfeiffer/ Express-News

Floresville's Kyle Pippert (right) tackles Harlandale's John Aguirre during the first half of their game at Harlandale Memorial Stadium on Oct. 4, 2013. Harlandale beat the Tigers 28-17. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

Photo By Marvin Pfeiffer/ Express-News

Harlandale running back Nicholas Martinez (second from left) breaks free from Floresville's Dadrian Contreras during the second half of their game at Harlandale Memorial Stadium on Oct. 4, 2013. Harlandale beat the Tigers 28-17. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

Photo By Marvin Pfeiffer/ Express-News

Harlandale quarterback Brandon Ramon prepares to throw a pass during the first quarter of their game with Floresville at Harlandale Memorial Stadium on Oct. 4, 2013. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

Photo By Marvin Pfeiffer/ Express-News

Harlandale's Juan Moncivaiz (center) is congratulated by Zachary Borrego (right) and Edmundo Maldonado after his fourth quarter touchdown reception during their game with at Floresville at Harlandale Memorial Stadium on Oct. 4, 2013. Harlandale beat the Tigers 28-17. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

Photo By Marvin Pfeiffer/ Express-News

Harlandale running back Nicholas Martinez (left) tries to run past Floresville's Bradley Bunn during the first half of their game at Harlandale Memorial Stadium on Oct. 4, 2013. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

Ramon's talents on the basketball court in middle school were legendary or maybe suspicious. Basically, some thought he was older than the others because he was better.

As a result, Martinez began getting calls about this Brandon Ramon kid.

“There were a lot of questions coming my way about his age, ” Martinez said. “They always thought he was older because of all the things he did on the basketball court. He was just a little bit above the group that was out there. That's when I knew we had an athlete coming up who could do something.”

Ramon is now a senior at Harlandale, and he's done plenty as the Indians' starting quarterback. This has been a particularly good season for Ramon and Harlandale, which is off to one of its best starts in school history. The Indians were undefeated in their first five games this season before a 31-21 loss to Kennedy on Oct. 11. Only five Harlandale teams have started the season 5-0.

“With him back there and everybody doing what they are supposed to be doing, we're just that much better because we have a guy who has the confidence and the skill level to put the ball in the right places, ” Martinez said.

Reaching that point has been a natural progression for Ramon. He began playing baseball and basketball when he was 3. At the time, the minimum age to play was 4, but 3-year-olds could play on youth teams with a coach's approval. So he started playing those sports with older kids. Once he got into middle school, he played with athletes his age and he outshined them, leading some to think he was older.

“When I went out of town for tournaments, I always had to carry my birth certificate, ” Ramon said.

When he played CYO basketball, the league had a special rule for Ramon — once his team went up by 10 points, Ramon couldn't shoot from the inside. He could only shoot 3-pointers. So, he got to work on his outside shot with plenty of success.

“They didn't know what to do because I was making them, ” Ramon said.

There are no questions about Ramon's age anymore. (He doesn't turn 18 until May, by the way). However, he's still a standout.

After Friday's game, Ramon was District 29-4A's leading passer with 1,308 yards and 14 touchdowns with two interceptions. Last season, Ramon threw for 2,350 yards and 24 touchdowns.

Ramon cracked Harlandale's varsity as a sophomore. Because the Indians already had a quarterback, Ramon played wide receiver — a position he had never played before — and earned second-team all-district honors after making 30 receptions for 266 yards.

Ramon's athletic ability is obvious, but Martinez said his quarterback's leadership is the team's most important asset. It's the thing that will lead to a successful season.

“He's a leader by working hard every day, ” Martinez said. “His confidence level filters down and the others feed off it. The others feel like we are going to be OK because Brandon is here. As a staff, we feel OK because we know Brandon is going to make some good decisions.”